MYRModel Year Report

2016 Hyundai Sonata

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2016 Hyundai Sonata
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
726
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2016

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine

62% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1992 1993: 26 complaints 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 319 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2007 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,377 complaints 2012: 1,557 complaints 2013: 1,912 complaints 2014: 746 complaints 2015: 1,148 complaints 2016: 726 complaints 2016 726 2017: 764 complaints 2018: 374 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 133 complaints 2022: 93 complaints 2022 2023: 87 complaints 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1990: 16 complaints 1990 1991: 29 complaints 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 26 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1996: 23 complaints 1996 1997: 49 complaints 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 1999 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2002: 319 complaints 2002 2003: 199 complaints 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2005 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2008: 425 complaints 2008 2009: 460 complaints 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,377 complaints 2011 2012: 1,557 complaints 2013: 1,912 complaints 2014: 746 complaints 2015: 1,148 complaints 2016: 726 complaints 2016 726 2017: 764 complaints 2018: 374 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2020 2021: 133 complaints 2022: 93 complaints 2023: 87 complaints 2023 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 11 complaints 1989 1990: 16 complaints 1991: 29 complaints 1991 1992: 22 complaints 1993: 26 complaints 1993 1994: 3 complaints 1995: 68 complaints 1995 1996: 23 complaints 1997: 49 complaints 1997 1998: 49 complaints 1999: 124 complaints 1999 2000: 276 complaints 2001: 205 complaints 2001 2002: 319 complaints 2003: 199 complaints 2003 2004: 202 complaints 2005: 165 complaints 2005 2006: 1,047 complaints 2007: 696 complaints 2007 2008: 425 complaints 2009: 460 complaints 2009 2010: 345 complaints 2011: 3,377 complaints 2011 2012: 1,557 complaints 2013: 1,912 complaints 2013 2014: 746 complaints 2015: 1,148 complaints 2016: 726 complaints 2016 726 2017: 764 complaints 2018: 374 complaints 2019: 162 complaints 2019 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 133 complaints 2021 2022: 93 complaints 2023: 87 complaints 2023 2024: 46 complaints 2025: 17 complaints 2025 2026: 3 complaints

2016: 726 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19860
19871
19880
198911
199016
199129
199222
199326
19943
199568
199623
199749
199849
1999124
2000276
2001205
2002319
2003199
2004202
2005165
20061,047
2007696
2008425
2009460
2010345
20113,377
20121,557
20131,912
2014746
20151,148
2016726
2017764
2018374
2019162
2020178
2021133
202293
202387
202446
202517
20263

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

62% · 451 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Sonata. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, other drivers started beeping the horn and shouting that the vehicle was on fire. The contact immediately veered to the side of the road.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-03

Also filed under Electrical system

09/16/2023: engine caught fire arrived at work at 830AM and left at 4PM. Went to fedex (5 min away from job) and noticed burning smell.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-28

I was driving in the freeway when I heard an extremely loud boom and my car stalled. I restarted my car and it was driven home. Car dealer mechanic stated it was an exhaust backfire and blamed it on using cheap arco gas.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-12-02

Electrical system

13% · 91 reports

Most commonly citing key/sender and cybersecurity.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

8% · 59 reports
FIRE

Service brakes

6% · 46 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Rear brakes failed to properly function while the vehicle was in forward motion on a highway. Both rear brakes locked up without operator pressing on brake petal.

NHTSA ODI report, 2016-04-08

Exterior lighting

5% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing headlights.

FIRE

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2015-11-30Electrical system15V678000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to August 21, 2015.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will update the ABS control unit software, free of charge. The recall is expected began on November 30, 2015. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. ▮
    2016Complaint volume 726 complaints filed for this model year.
  3. R
    2016-06-15Air bags16V232000 Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle...

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began on May 5,2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 144.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2016-09-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2017-02-22 Electronic Parking Brake
  5. R
    2016-10-14Air bags16V615000 Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured March 28, 2016 through April 12, 2016.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 148.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2016-11-29Visibility16V726000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicles manufactured December 8, 2014, to August 18, 2015, and Hyundai Sonata vehicles manufactured May 28, 2014, to March 18, 2016, equipped with the panoramic...

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will repair the wind deflector anchor plate, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-633-5151. Hyundai's number for this recall is 152.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2017-08-04Parking brake17V359000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Sonata and Genesis vehicles.

    Remedy: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake switch, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 164.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2019-04-19Engineering analysisClosed 2024-09-19 Electrical overstress
  9. R
    2021-11-19Electrical system, exterior lighting21V749000 Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Sonata, 2016-2017 Sonata Hybrid, and Sonata Plug-In Hybrid vehicles.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the SJB software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 210.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2021-12-22Engineering analysisClosed 2024-02-05 Engine Fires
  11. I
    2022-09-12Defect petitionClosed 2023-12-12 Loss of Motive Power

Buy-smart checklist

2016 Hyundai Sonata — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 451 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 91 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 59 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 15V678000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 16V232000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V615000 · Air bags
  • Recall 16V726000 · Visibility
  • Recall 17V359000 · Parking brake
  • Recall 21V749000 · Electrical system, exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2016 Hyundai Sonata reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2016 Hyundai Sonata is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Hyundai Sonata?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 62% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2016 Hyundai Sonata have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.